Museum Voorlinden: “Less is More”

Wassenaar, the Netherlands

How can it be that we in the West – in an era in which our standard of living is higher than ever – are still constantly wanting more? Our smartphones keep us in contact with the world twenty-four hours a day. The result is constant overstimulation. We are always “on”, and we don’t quite know how to manage it. The gratification is fleeting, while the emptiness endures.

Yet a counter-movement is emerging. Chefs advocate simple, authentic cuisine. Organisational gurus write books filled with tips on reducing clutter. Fashion designers practically chant the mantra: buy less, choose well. The Tiny House movement continues to grow. And we find meaning in the pursuit of a zero-waste existence. Minimalism seems to be the new way of life.

This trend is evident in the art world as well. There is renewed interest in movements from the 1960s, such as minimal art and ZERO. Today – over half a century later – artists are once again seizing on minimalistic principles including reuse, organisation and reduction. On the eve of a new era, these artists offer us tools for structuring our lives around the concept of less. This exhibition demonstrates how artists are returning to the essence of things: a new start and a clean slate.